2004 Redesigned Solara

[Flipside909]

The car will come out in the middle of April. It shares the same V6 engine as the Sienna and will show approximately 230 hp. The V6 will not be avaiable with a manual transmission.

The 3MZ-FE isn't a surprise, but a lack of a manual tranny is.

There will be a sport package with a carbon fiber dash and aluminum pedals, body kit and a 3 pod gauge cluster in the dash above the center console.

This is probably some excuse for Toyota to make up for lack of engine power and powertrain selection.

The design is much more agressive than the previous with the hood sloping down in front. The headlights are ES300 style and the the rear end looks a lot like the SC 430.

That doesn't sound promising.

[NASTY]

That doesn't sound promising.

i agree, it'll definitely lose some of its sleekness
and no manual tranny? they've got to start taking tips from honda!

[Guest]

This does not sound good

[Jackass-Jeff]

Let's just wait and see =]

So that distributor is where those lame strips and crap go on?!?!
Lame stuff! (Yet to see a pinstripe on a Toyota, but I saw them on all the Altimas/Maximas at Cerritos Nissan, they also had a Cerritos Nissan painted on) ...

and just to get slightly off topic =]
Hyundai tied with Honda in reliability... while Toyota stays on top!

[cdssolara]

HMMM....I can't quite get a picture of this combination. The hood sloping down is OK, and it improves aerodynamics. The ES300 headlights are that car's worst feature, in my opinion. They make the car look like a person with a bad facelift. The SC430 is the worst looking high end sports car on the market (again in my opinion), especially from the side. It looks like a rolling bathtub, with way too high of a beltline. It's a poor replacement for the sleek and classy SC300 and 400. From the front and rear it's OK, so maybe the rear deck look on the Solara won't be too bad.

Also, to make a car sporty looking and provide the sport package without an option of a manual tranny just seems stupid. The IS300 and Honda Accord, to name just two, have added the manual tranny. Infiniti has recently added the manual to the G35 sedan. Toyota may not be truly aiming at the younger and performance oriented buyer with this car, but if that's the case, why provide the carbon fiber pieces and the body kit? I don't understand this logic.

[Jackass-Jeff]

http://www.pbase.com/image/14210658

I hope this isn't the picture people are basing their ideas of the Gen 2 on... I found this on the Toyota website and it was labeled "sketch for gen 1 solara"

[Flipside909]

HMMM....I can't quite get a picture of this combination. The hood sloping down is OK, and it improves aerodynamics. The ES300 headlights are that car's worst feature, in my opinion. They make the car look like a person with a bad facelift. The SC430 is the worst looking high end sports car on the market (again in my opinion), especially from the side. It looks like a rolling bathtub, with way too high of a beltline. It's a poor replacement for the sleek and classy SC300 and 400. From the front and rear it's OK, so maybe the rear deck look on the Solara won't be too bad.

Also, to make a car sporty looking and provide the sport package without an option of a manual tranny just seems stupid. The IS300 and Honda Accord, to name just two, have added the manual tranny. Infiniti has recently added the manual to the G35 sedan. Toyota may not be truly aiming at the younger and performance oriented buyer with this car, but if that's the case, why provide the carbon fiber pieces and the body kit? I don't understand this logic.

I totally agree with all of that! My sentiments exactly.

[pecora55]

that pic looks like our cars now...just a little sleeker....

[Peter]

http://www.pbase.com/image/14210658

I hope this isn't the picture people are basing their ideas of the Gen 2 on... I found this on the Toyota website and it was labeled "sketch for gen 1 solara"

that looks like the concept for 99-01. all this talk about the new solara...its killin me. when can we get a peak? im pretty pissed about the non-manual tranny thing, but o well, at least mine's manual sometimes i hope for a ugly 04 solara so it'll make mine look better haha

[cdssolara]

sometimes i hope for a ugly 04 solara so it'll make mine look better haha

My sentiments, exactly! I've got to think most current Solara owners feel this way.

[rnsmelody]

sometimes i hope for a ugly 04 solara so it'll make mine look better haha

My sentiments, exactly! I've got to think most currently Solara owners feel this way.

i feel this way too

[STR8PYP]

Well that's it, I give up on Toyota. hehe It seems to me that Honda, Nissan/Infiniti, BMW, and Mercedes are the only ones that know how to take advantage of a growing aftermarket demographic. I'd even go with Volvo's XC90 before even considering another Toyota.

SC

[Jackass-Jeff]

Well that's it, I give up on Toyota. hehe It seems to me that Honda, Nissan/Infiniti, BMW, and Mercedes are the only ones that know how to take advantage of a growing aftermarket demographic. I'd even go with Volvo's XC90 before even considering another Toyota.

SC

That's it! you're banned!

[Guest]

http://www.pbase.com/image/14210658

I hope this isn't the picture people are basing their ideas of the Gen 2 on... I found this on the Toyota website and it was labeled "sketch for gen 1 solara"

I've seen the 04 Solara. I know my previous description doesn't sound that great, but I think you will like it when you see it. It looks much more agressive and mean.

[Flipside909]

I've seen the 04 Solara. I know my previous description doesn't sound that great, but I think you will like it when you see it. It looks much more agressive and mean.

People said the same thing about the Gen5 camry.